Exposed Roots

One of Sweden's longest and most popular national trails is called the Kungsleden or "King's Trail" which starts in the Northern town of Abisko and stops in the Southern town of Hemaven. Most people hike/camp Kungsleden over their summer, breaking it up into four weeks or a portion of the trail for a week or two. The trail is marked with posts every few hundred yards and huts every 6-14 miles (about a days hike). The trail was created around the turn of the 19th century to get the Swedes outdoor to enjoy their beautiful country! And what a beautiful country it is!


While James and I spent a few days at Abisko National Park, we set out one afternoon to hike a portion of this 270 mile trail. As we walked the easy part of the Kings trail my eyes were basking in the lush, green landscape with the Abisko river hugging the path. I couldn't keep my eyes off the rushing river in all its glory. In one area of the trail, cliffs and rocks made of gorgeous marble slats layered the banks of the river, encasing it in unique beauty.

Making our way a few miles into the trail, we came into the forested areas of Abisko with beautiful wildflowers and gorgeous mountain peaks. And then I noticed something a bit disturbing. Many of the lush trees had a labrynth of roots growing up and out near the walking path, completely exposed. Anyone taking the Kings Trail trampled on hundreds of exposed roots that lay bare on the path with no soil to protect them. Some of the roots broke off and were no longer connected to the tree.. Some roots were still in tact, just exposed to harsh hikers feet.



Walking on exposed roots felt a little like nails on the chalkboard to me. Somehow it felt wrong. I immediately remembered that somewhere in scripture, Christ-followers are challenged to be rooted in Christ's love. Here I had a visual of what it looks like when your roots are not deeply rooted in the good soil it needs but instead exposed to strangers and their trampling feet.

When we got back to the Lodge, I found this scripture in Ephesians 3:17 that Paul penned "...I pray that you, being rooted and established in love, may have power, together with all the saints, to grasp how wide and long and high and deep is the love of Christ, and to know this love that surpasses knowledge--that you may be filled to the measure of all the fullness of God." Paul prayed that every Christ-follower would find their roots of faith established and deeply centered in the most important thing -- God's rich and deep labrynth of love.

If not rooted in Christ's love, what's the alternative? Does our faith look like these exposed roots when it's not rooted deeper in His love? Exposed roots. Exposed to whoever walks by and tramples those roots underfoot. Exposed to strangers who could care less. That's not exactly how the biblical text reads but I considered the "or else" as I now saw the visual on roots that didn't go deep, roots whose soil no longer protected and preserved the growth of the true roots.

And here is the challenge my soul was left with on the Kings Trail.

My life is like a tree. Somewhere in the Bible it talks about being a tree planted by streams of living water. It's important where you are planted but it's also important how deep you allow your roots to go. I once heard that one of the primary understandings among architects is that you can only build as high as you build deep. Where you plant your life, how deep you plant it will also determine how strong and high it can grow.

My prayer for myself and all my loved ones is that our roots will be buried, completely covered by the dirt grow deep in Him. Deeper and deeper until we're lost in how high, how wide, how deep....Until our roots are that labyrinth of grace hidden in the rich soil of His love. Hidden. Unexposed roots. Roots that have the opportunity to thrive in the richness of His essence.

Patience is a virtue, eh?

Patience. It's listed as the first thing in a string of love definers in 1 Corinthians 13.
In Galatians 5, it's supposed to be evidence of a spirit-led life for a Christ-follower.

So where is it in my life these days??? Patience wouldn't be on many of the pages of the book of my life, specifically with people. Without even realizing it, I'm easily set on fulfilling my agenda and can run right over others. I'm not quite sure what has brought this self-revelation on but I'm realizing just how impatient I can be.

If patience is a virtue, a positive substance that should be in the heart of a believer, what does it look like and where is it in my life? I'd like the question answered and I'd like to see this quality more evidenced in my life, right now! Ha!

What did Paul mean when he wrote those texts?.....The best definition I've found thus far is "waiting without complaint" or "enduring discomfort without complaint." Living in a world with people, it's very easy to complain when we have to wait for anything.

In a book called "The Practice of Godliness", Abraham Kuyper writes that "Patience ought to be the possession of every child of God. If it is not his when he is reborn, it ought to grow within him as he grows in Christ.....Patience is a strength of spirit, engendered within the heart of God’s children by the Holy Spirit, which enables them to remain standing, unshaken and undaunted, in spite of all the forces that would tear them from the Kingdom of God. It is strength; it is endurance. (Patience's) branches twine about the cross of Christ. Its goal is eternity. Its glory is in the grace of God."

One thing I know quite well is that If patience is a fruit of the spirit, there had to be a seed of that fruit planted in my heart. I wasn't born with it. In fact, if anything, I was born impatient. My mom reminded me this week that I was very impatient or "active" from the time I was born....She woke up at 6:30 am and delivered me at 7:30 am and I came out with my eyes wide open, ready to take on the world, quite impatiently.

Patience is a seed in the soul that Jesus planted in me when I handed over the reigns of my life to His authority. But there is wrestling in the soul to see it grow, even after a lot of years. In the midst of whatever we're learning to be patient about, it can be a fight. Although it may sound a bit dramatic, I find at times it can be a soul distress when the exercising of patience is present. It's not automatic but grows. And yet after all these years where its had opportunity to grow, there are areas in my life that I find of late it's sadly lacking in me. Abraham Kuyper says this is evidence of restlessness. That this lack is my aversion to the cross. Ouch! That hurts.

By nature I am still opposed to patience because in my dark heart I admire strength, vigor, power over suffering when it's called for. Kuyter notes that monuments are built to those who fight great battles and perform valiant deeds and we're ever ready to praise what others dare to do. Hero worship is not necessarily our first instinct when we read the Old testament description of Christ as the "lamb that is dumb before the shearer". That old testament passage talks about Jesus in that moment at the cross when He displayed the greatest soul strength in patience, being God and yet quietly enduring what He knew was to come. Some might say he didn't stand up for himself. But in reality, His soul was bathed in patience. He is patience.

Patience isn't necessarily an admired quality...It's usually despised. I know my soul despises it at times and of late I'm wrestling to be the kind of woman Christ created me to be....To turn the other cheek...really? Ouch. Patience is needed. Jesus is my best example. And still I find myself asking the question. How does that play out in every day life? I guess when the heart naturally seeks strength, power, dignity, that might be evidence of a soul plunging down into the depths instead of climbing upward on the ladder of patience, a patience that isn't resigning but enduring in the midst of adverse circumstances.

Although I may have experienced glimpses of patience as a godly quality in my heart, there's been nothing over the long run and I hate that. But how can I walk in patience if not a constant friend of Jesus - the Patient. So I guess at the end of all my thoughts on patience today, I stand with Paul who also said that He still hadn't laid hold of all that He was created to be....." but one thing I do, forgetting the things which are behind, and stretching forward to the things which are before, I press on toward the goal unto the prize of the high calling of God in Christ Jesus.”

Continually.....through every changing season

"And the Lord shall guide thee continually, and satisfy thy soul...."Isaiah lviii. 11.

" Wherever He may guide me,
No want shall turn me back;
My Shepherd is beside me,
And nothing can I lack.
His wisdom ever waketh,
His sight is never dim,--
He knows the way He taketh,
And I will walk with Him."
A. L. WARING.

"Abandon yourself to His care and guidance, as a sheep in the care of a shepherd, and trust Him utterly. No matter though you may seem to yourself to be in the very midst of a desert, with nothing green about you, inwardly or outwardly, and may think you will have to make a long journey before you can get into the green pastures. Our Shepherd will turn that very place where you are into green pastures, for He has power to make the desert rejoice and blossom as a rose."
H. W. SMITH.

This morning these quotes were a soul refresher. Married life is exciting and I'm so blessed already in this new life with James! Yet I've never been here before. There are new areas to trust God. New moments to strengthen faith. New moments to be guided....continually. I feel like I'm in a wildly green pasture full of lush garden flowers and joys abounding (even though we're smack dab in the middle of the Northern Nevada desert.) Right now life is rich and I'm so thankful. Last night James and I read a devotional that we can't trust our hearts but we have to lead our hearts. My heart is learning to abandon all to His care and guidance as a married woman now. I'm learning to lead my heart in marriage. Exciting!!! Let the journey begin. He cares for us. He is so trustworthy. Continually, through every changing season.

Our story and proposal

The story starts in the biggest little city in the world!

The first date takes place at a Reno Ace's game in June of 2009. The Ace's won that night, but James had the biggest win with Jen that evening when he showed his generosity by donating an XBOX to a youth group.

The date was almost over as quickly as it started when Jen whipped out her new Iphone (James is a Microsoft employee)! Fortunately for Jen, James was the bigger person and proceeded to play around with the weather settings. Jen's been keeping track of weather patterns around the world ever since!

Jen thought James was quite intriguing, having lived in Europe for a few years. She loved his desire to be outdoors, to travel, live an active lifestyle and serve Christ. Jen thought it was admirable that he served in Kid's ministry at his local church and volunteered at St. Mary's Hospital. James was impressed with Jen's desire to serve Christ, her missions work, her worldly travels and outlook, and her active lifestyle; and he hoped for a second date, even if she was an Apple fan!

After returning from an East Coast trip with her mom, Jen agreed to a second date and the adventure continued. They enjoyed getting to know each other in their travels to Yosemite Park, Napa, Oregon, Washington and a plethora of other places! As Jen's Mom once said to them as they returned from a hike, 'What oceans and mountains did you guys cross today?'

For almost a year and a half this adventure continued until. . .New Year's Eve, just after a family dinner with both family's meeting for the first time. James and Jen drove back to Reno to watch the fireworks from Keystone Canyon in Northwest Reno.

Just after the last fireworks went off, James asked Jen to get out of the car.

Although it was a chilly night with snow on the ground, .......

James got down on one knee in that glistening snow and proposed!

and with smiles between them, a sense of excitement and joy, Jen said YES!

Thank you for sharing in our joy as we look to exchange our vows this summer!

All the days of your life....

Sometimes the best thing to do is remember "I only have today." Instead of thinking about the myriad of possibilities the future holds, hold steady both mind and heart and contemplate the reality that the essence of life is summed up in the moment.

"I only have today."

I can and will make plans for tomorrow but there are no guarantees. I can reminisce about the good old days or mourn the pain of the past, but at some point it's fruitless since I can't change a bit of it. This is the moment that counts.

As a Christ follower, my soul is strengthened by the truth that God will never leave my side. As I consider that I only have today, I realize that no matter what I feel or think, He is complete in mercy, love, power and strength so that all of who He is becomes available to me since He is by my side. He is faithful as the sun that rises in the morning and He will never give up on me. Today He is with me to call me into more of His ways and less of my own. Every day He waits to shower fresh perspective and understanding on my soul so that I'll shed my own. These are the attributes of His character that I lean into and they are more than enough FOR TODAY. What I need tomorrow will be provided.

I'm in the mix of some very exciting changes! Getting married, moving back to Reno, changing jobs, taking classes.....All of it is good. All of it is exciting. I'm blessed and holding these moments close. And this perspective that I only have today ultimately leads me to the promise God made when I was just a crazy teenager! It's about every day but it's also about all my life. God wants to be with me until my last day, my dying day, through good and bad days, through dark and bright days. So that all the days of my life are summed up in Him. But all the days must start with today.

A friend ends her voicemail recording with "Make it a great day!" I absolutely love that! Can we stop long enough in the busy lives we live to realize we just have today and we can make it a great day? Hug a little longer, read a few more nuggets for the soul from the good book, do a few things you wouldn't normally do for someone else. Love with His love. Make it a great day!

Celebrate it all!

This month our family is celebrating it all! From Jeremy's high school graduation to more than one birthday (Emma, Chloe, Jeremy, Izzy, Savvy), an anniversary (Scofields), a wedding (soon to be Simmons), it's hard to stay on top of it all!

In the midst of these wonderful life moments, the kind of moments you look back on in years to come, I'm also experiencing some other celebrations. There is the grand move from Carson City to Reno and all the transitions surrounding the move as my stuff is officially at my soon to be residence :). No longer will I commute to Minden and live in Carson City and drive to Reno to be with James.... the transition of starting a life in Reno has begun!

I've officially moved stuff over. Now I'm getting familiar with the neighborhood. I'm super excited to discover all the running/cycling trails in the Northwest.

Wow. It's been almost a decade since I lived in Reno. And things have changed! I have changed. This month I'm celebrating and thankful for all the people who have been a part of my life from the beginning of my faith walk in Christ. I'm celebrating how Christ has brought me to this place and excited to see what God has for James and me in the future. I'm blessed. I'm celebrating!!

And this is why I love Jesus....Thanks John Piper for breaking it down!

In Awe of Jesus Christ
by John Piper

"One reason to admire and trust Jesus above all other persons is that he knows more than anyone else. He knows all people thoroughly, their hearts and their thoughts. "He knew all men" (John 2:24). "You, Lord, . . . know the hearts of all men" (Acts 1:24). "And Jesus knowing their thoughts said, 'Why are you thinking evil in your hearts?'" (Matthew 9:4). There is no one who perplexes Jesus. No thought or action is unintelligible to him. He knows its origin and end. The most convoluted psychotic and the most abstruse genius are open and laid bare to his understanding. He understands every motion of their minds.

Jesus not only knows all people thoroughly as they were and are today, he also knows what people will think and do tomorrow. He knows all things that will come to pass. "Jesus, [knew] all the things that were coming upon Him" (John 18:4). On the basis of this knowledge, he foretold numerous things that his friends and enemies would do. "[Jesus said] 'There are some of you who do not believe.' For Jesus knew from the beginning who they were who did not believe, and who it was that would betray Him" (John 6:64). "From now on," he said, "I am telling you before it comes to pass, so that when it does occur, you may believe that I am" (John 13:19). The reason he foretold these things, he explains, is so that we might know that "he is" - is what? That he is the divine Son of God. "I am" is the name for God in Exodus 3:14 and the designation of deity in Isaiah 43:10. Jesus knows all that will come to pass, and, to help our faith, he says, "Behold, I have told you in advance" (Matthew 24:25).

Jesus simply knows all things. Thus his disciples said, truly, "Now we know that You know all things, and have no need for anyone to question You; by this we believe that You came from God" (John 16:30). The extent of Jesus' knowledge was a compelling warrant for faith in his divine origin. At the end of his time on earth Jesus pressed Peter, "'Simon, son of John, do you love Me?' Peter was grieved because He said to him the third time, 'Do you love Me?' And he said to Him, 'Lord, You know all things; You know that I love You' (John 21:17). Peter did not conclude from Jesus' knowledge of his heart that he knew all things; rather he concluded from the omniscience of Jesus that he knew his heart. "You know all things," is a general and unqualified statement that John's gospel presses on our minds.

The greatest thing that can be said of Jesus' knowledge is that he knows God perfectly. We know God partially and imperfectly. Jesus knows him like no other being knows him. He knows him the way an omniscient Person knows himself. "All things have been handed over to Me by My Father; and no one knows the Son except the Father; nor does anyone know the Father except the Son, and anyone to whom the Son wills to reveal Him" (Matthew 11:27). No one but Jesus knows the Father immediately, completely and perfectly. Our knowledge of the Father depends wholly on Jesus' gracious revelation; it is derivative and partial and imperfect.

Nothing greater can be said about the knowledge of Jesus than that he knows God perfectly. All reality outside God is parochial compared to the infinite Reality that God is. What God has made is like a toy compared to the complexity and depth of what God is. All the sciences that scratch the surface of the created universe are the mere ABCs compared to Christ's exhaustive knowledge of the created universe. And this knowledge of the created universe is as a dewdrop on a blade of grass compared to the ocean of knowledge that Jesus has of the Being of God himself. God is infinite. The universe is finite. Knowledge of the infinite is infinite. Therefore to know God, as Jesus knows God, is to have infinite knowledge.

Therefore let us bow down and worship Jesus Christ. If we are impressed with the scholarship of man and the achievements of scientific knowledge, then let us not play the fool by trumpeting a tiny chirp and ignoring the thunder clap of omniscience. Jesus alone is worthy of our highest admiration. Jesus alone is worthy of our trust. He can show us the Father (Matthew 11:27). He can give us irresistible wisdom (Luke 21:15). He can see how to make all things work together for our good (Romans 8:28). None of his judgments about anything is ever mistaken (John 8:16). He teaches the way of God with infallible truthfulness (Matthew 22:16). Trust him. Admire him. Follow him.

In awe of Jesus,

Pastor John"